-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Two goals in three minutes from Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan put the United States into the final of the Women 's World Cup with a 3-1 victory over France Wednesday .

The teams were tied at 1-1 until Wambach powered home a 79th minute header before young substitute Morgan sealed the victory with a cool finish .

The United States will play Japan , who beat Sweden 3-1 in the second semifinal in Frankfurt to continue their superb run in the competition .

Lauren Cheney had put the U.S. ahead in the Borussia-Park stadium in Moenchengladbach as early as the ninth minute .

But France , who had beaten England on penalties in a dramatic quarterfinal , responded by dominating possession .

Their deserved equalizer came in the 55th minute when Sonia Bompastor 's dangerous ball into the penalty area eluded U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo without getting a further touch .

At this point , France looked the more likely winners , but United States coach Pia Sundhage quickly introduced Morgan and Megan Rapinoe from the bench to change the course of the game .

SI.com : 3 keys to the match

Prolific striker Wambach put them ahead with a thumping header from a Cheney corner which left French goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz with no chance .

The excellent Rapinoe then played in Morgan with a neat pass and she chipped Sapowicz to wrap up the victory .

But Sundhage ackowledged they had been thoroughly tested by a French side who played with considerable flair .

`` I think France played very well . We lost our legs in the second half but then we picked it up , '' she told Eurosport .

The reigning Olympic champions are bidding for a record third World Cup title after winning in 1991 and 1999 before hosts Germany claimed the crown in 2003 and 2007 .

Japan caused the upset of the tournament by stunning the Germans 1-0 in the quarterfinals and they showed their qualities again with a later impressive win over Sweden to make a World Cup final for the first time in their history .

Sweden made a fast start as striker Josefine Oqvist thumped the opener past Japan goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori on 10 minutes .

But Japan striker Nahomi Kawasumi equalized with a fine individual goal nine minutes later and put them ahead after the break .

Captain Homare Sawa wrapped up the Japan win with her fourth goal in five games as her side beat top European opposition for the second straight game .

They will return to Frankfurt for Sunday 's final against the United States .

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United States into final of Women 's World Cup in Germany

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U.S. beat France 3-1 in semifinal in Moenchengladbach

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Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan score goals to break out of 1-1 tie

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NEW : U.S. will play Japan who beat Sweden 3-1 in second semifinal in Frankfurt